June 19, 2009 - 17:14 AMT
In general Armenia's new buildings quite quakeproof
"In general Armenia's new buildings are quite quake proof. Although we can't generalize, since every building has its own project," adviser to the head of the Rescue Service of Armenia colonel Nikolay Grigoryan said.

According to him, new buildings are absolutely safe, since new technology was applied during construction, quake proof cushions were laid in the foundations of buildings, which weaken the seismic shakes.

According to Hrachya Petrosyan, deputy head of the Armenian National Service for Seismic Protection (NSSP) the same cannot be stated about buildings constructed in 1960-ies, since their earthquake stability was not studied in those times, quake proof buildings were first constructed in 1970-80-ies. According to him, old buildings are quite firm, although new superstructures can cause unsteadiness.

Mr. Hrachya Petrosyan also said, that cannot garantee earthquake stability of all new buildings, since researches have been implemented only by orders and not all of them have been studied in regard to quakeproofness.